FAQ on registration fees and differentiated fees – 2026/2027 academic year
Information for international students
This FAQ is intended to help you understand how decree no. 2026-385 of 19 May 2026 (concerning differentiated fees) may affect your personal situation. We understand this topic may be a source of concern, and we are doing our best to provide you with clear and up-to-date answers.Step 1: Will I have to pay differentiated fees?
The first thing to do is to find out whether or not you are subject to differentiated fees. Please read both sections below carefully.
I am NOT subject to differentiated fees
You only pay the national registration fees if you are in ONE of the following situations.These national fees are charged either at the standard rate or at the reduced rate (also called the exemption rate) if you meet certain conditions. To find out whether you are eligible and to submit a request, please visit the dedicated page.
- You are a national of a European Union member state, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), Switzerland, Monaco, or Andorra.
- You are from Quebec.
- You have recognised refugee status, you benefit from subsidiary protection, or you are a ward of the Nation or the Republic.
- You are a long-term resident in France, or you are the minor child of such a resident.
- You are a family member of an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen.
- You have been fiscally domiciled in France for more than two years (meaning you are attached to the tax household of someone who has been living in France for more than two years).
- You are a doctoral student, a student in the third cycle of health studies, or you hold an accreditation to supervise research (HDR).
- You are enrolled in a preparatory class for the grandes écoles (CPGE).
- You are enrolled in an engineering programme (an engineering degree accredited by the CTI).
- You hold a French Government Scholarship (BGF).
- You are taking part in a European or international mobility programme as defined by relevant regulations, and you hold a scholarship in this context (for example, Erasmus Mundus with a scholarship).
- Your home university has signed a reciprocal cooperation agreement with Nantes Université, meaning that French students sent to your institution also benefit from a fee exemption.
- You were already exempt from differentiated fees in 2025-2026: you keep this exemption until the end of your current degree cycle (Bachelor's or Master's), provided you remain enrolled at Nantes Université in the same programme.
- You were enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree cycle at Nantes Université in 2025-2026 and you are re-enrolling to continue that same cycle.
- You were enrolled at Nantes Université in 2025-2026 in the final year of your Bachelor's degree and you are enrolling in a Master's degree for 2026-2027.
- You received a notification of admission and exemption before the publication of the decree (before 30 April 2026): you keep the benefit of this exemption until the end of your degree cycle, at the same institution. This applies in particular to students admitted and exempted through the following programmes: Études en France (all Bachelor's and Master's programmes), SURF (L2, L3, M2) and DAP (L1), as well as any exemption cases covered by a notification issued before the decree.
Important note
Students with refugee status are not subject to differentiated fees under any circumstances, regardless of their situation.
I am subject to differentiated fees
You are subject to differentiated fees if your admission to Nantes Université for 2026-2027 took place after the publication of the decree (after 19 May 2026), and you do not meet any of the criteria listed in the previous section.This applies in particular to admissions made through:
- Parcoursup
- MonMaster (unless you were enrolled in the third year of a Bachelor's degree at Nantes Université in 2025-2026)
Step 2: If I have to pay differentiated fees, are there any exemptions available?
Partial exemptions remain theoretically possible, within very strict limits set by the decree. For the 2026-2027 academic year, Nantes Université may exempt a maximum of 30% of its non-European international students.
The eligibility criteria and the process for applying for an exemption are currently being defined. The university will inform you directly, as soon as this information becomes available, of the steps to follow if you wish to apply.
The eligibility criteria and the process for applying for an exemption are currently being defined. The university will inform you directly, as soon as this information becomes available, of the steps to follow if you wish to apply.
Payment arrangements
If you are required to pay differentiated fees, payment is made online at the time of your enrolment. We encourage you to use this method, as it allows you to pay in three instalments.
If online payment fails or is not possible for you, you may visit the student services desk, where payment by card will be available.
If online payment fails or is not possible for you, you may visit the student services desk, where payment by card will be available.
This FAQ will be updated as soon as new official information becomes available.
Differentiated fees: what are they?
Since 2019, non-European international students have in principle been required to pay higher registration fees than French and European students. These are known as differentiated fees. Until now, universities had considerable freedom in their exemption policies.
A new decree, published on 19 May 2026, changes this. It strictly limits and regulates the possibilities for exemption from the 2026-2027 academic year onwards. In practical terms, a greater number of international students will now be required to pay these differentiated fees.
The amounts for 2026-2027 have been set by ministerial order:
A new decree, published on 19 May 2026, changes this. It strictly limits and regulates the possibilities for exemption from the 2026-2027 academic year onwards. In practical terms, a greater number of international students will now be required to pay these differentiated fees.
The amounts for 2026-2027 have been set by ministerial order:
- for a Bachelor's degree: €2,902 per year (compared to €178 for national fees)
- for a Master's degree: €3,950 per year (compared to €255 for national fees)
Contact us
If you have read this FAQ and are still unsure about your situation, please do not keep your questions to yourself. The International Relations Office at Nantes Université is here to support you.
If you have been admitted, you will receive an email from the International Relations Office at Nantes Université, which will specify what applies to your situation. We ask that you wait for this message before taking any steps, and that you read it carefully.
If you have been admitted, you will receive an email from the International Relations Office at Nantes Université, which will specify what applies to your situation. We ask that you wait for this message before taking any steps, and that you read it carefully.
Updated on 24 June 2026.